Jamie's sword work doesn't critically wound any of the trees. It does serve to anger them though. Before long their attacks start to intensify and become even more violent. Eleanor takes a heavy clout to the helmet, and while she's off-balance, a spear-like branch follows up with a nasty jab into her upper thigh. She yelps again, and more blood flows, darkening the punctured denim below the point of impact.

That's the final straw.

Fuming, she leans the bike against her uninjured thigh and digs into the nearest pannier bag. From it she draws a can of hairspray and pops off the lid.

"Skewer me will you?" she yells at the forest.

Flicking her Zippo open, she sparks it and holds the flame up to the nozzle of the aerosol. One depressed button later, and a roaring cloud of fire jets away from the can.



She sends it in a sweeping arc (nowhere near Jamie) scorching and burning any branches that are within range.